Episode 75

Chapter 75. Why He Won’t Divorce Me

I swallowed a sigh and looked at Fay.

― I’ve actually been worried about it all along. A loveless marriage is such a sad thing.

― It’s nothing but a hollow shell of a marriage.

…Author, where did the pure heroine from the original story go?

I’d sensed something was off for a while, but now I couldn’t deny it any longer.

The heroine standing before me was completely different from the original.

Where on earth did you sell your purity and innocence?

I truly wanted to ask.

I hadn’t realized she had such a sharp talent for thinly veiled insults.

― But now it’s really fortunate. The empress has someone she loves, too.

Or maybe she’s just a bit clueless.

No, no matter how clueless, no one would say something like that.

At this point, I couldn’t just stand by silently.

I put on the coldest expression I could muster and said,

“I’m sure I made it clear already—Sir Leonard is here as my guard. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make baseless assumptions. Or are you…”

Hey, lady. You picked the wrong person to mess with.

I’m not the type to just endure quietly.

“If you’re not mistaken… could it be that your memory’s just terrible?”

“What?”

“Well, it seems my consideration wasn’t enough. Next time, I’ll be sure to say it clearly so even an oblivious imperial concubine like you can understand.”

I looked down at her with a cold smile.

I was even surprised I could smile so chillingly.

“……!”

Fay’s face flushed deeply at my words.

“I-I’m not forgetful. It’s the past incident and everyone else, too—they all know the same thing.”

“It’s pathetic to be swayed by such nonsense. And even if it were true, it’s none of your business.”

“I-I didn’t mean it maliciously. I was just trying to be supportive…”

She ended up shedding tears of frustration.

But I was no man to be shaken by her tears.

I was Helena—the villainess who regarded her with the coldest and harshest gaze in the world.

“You’re mistaken. I never asked for your support. Not now… and not ever.”

I smiled coldly.

As if performing, as if I had become someone else.

I sneered down at Fay.

“Empress, why do you hate me so much?”

Hate?

If anything, I had no particular reason to hate her.

Unlike the original Helena, I didn’t love Jerome.

I just hated her hypocritical double-sided nature that was so unlike the original.

Without knowing my feelings, Fay launched into a passionate speech.

“I know why you hate me. But that doesn’t mean you can force your love on me.”

Her voice, wrung out as if from pain, carried a subtle anger.

“Me? Him?”

I gave a hollow laugh.

“Are you saying I’m forcing his love?”

“Then what else could explain it? You hate me without reason. You have your maids tear my dress. You hate seeing me together with you. It’s all because of you.”

Half of what she said was right, half wrong. The original Helena surely craved Jerome’s love.

But now that I knew what kind of man he really was…

Was it really Helena’s fault?

“You’re wrong.”

“The entire palace knows this except for you, empress.”

“Yes, I suppose everyone misunderstands.”

I stepped closer.

Was she afraid of being struck?

Fay shivered like a lamb caught by wolves.

Near her trembling ear, I whispered with a sweet voice.

“Then, will you ask His Majesty for me?”

I lifted the corner of my mouth lightly and added,

“Why he won’t divorce me.”

“……!”

Fay’s eyes widened in shock.

That was an unexpected question.

“T-That can’t be.”

Her voice trembled ever so slightly.

Her green eyes flickered wildly.

Her face was painted with complete confusion.

“His Majesty said he loves me. Only me…”

“And?”

“So there’s no reason for His Majesty to make such a decision…”

“Then isn’t that strange?”

I asked with an expressionless face.

“If His Majesty loves you so much, why won’t he divorce me?”

“…….”

Fay bit her lips hard.

Without a word, she turned her back and fled like she was escaping.

A night breeze blew.

I watched Fay’s retreating figure with an expressionless gaze.

Then, as if waking from a dream, I suddenly snapped back to reality.

What had I just said…?

Her words and my expression came to mind.

It was like recalling the original Helena.

Why did I…

Sure, I’d found Fay irritating, but I hadn’t intended to speak so coldly and harshly…

Suddenly, I realized there was someone else here.

Leonard.

What if he had seen me like that? Was he shocked by my fierce expression and words?

Nervously, I turned my head.

Unfortunately, he was standing right behind me.

He must have heard everything just now.

I was doomed.

Why had I acted so harshly all of a sudden?

He must have been quite surprised.

Maybe he thought I had been hiding my two-faced nature this whole time.

What was I thinking, acting so viciously?

Should I try to explain it was a misunderstanding?

Would he believe me?

All sorts of thoughts ran through my mind.

But then…

He chuckled.

Surprisingly, Leonard was laughing.

He looked thoroughly amused.

He grinned mischievously as if barely holding back a hearty laugh, his fists clenched.

“Sir Leonard?”

“Ah… my apologies. I just witnessed something quite entertaining.”

Entertaining?

Not shocked?

“Her Majesty can speak firmly after all.”

“W-Well…”

“That was well done.”

“Pardon?”

“I was worried you’d panic and say it was a misunderstanding, like usual. But just now… though it may be rude to say, it was refreshing.”

“I appreciate your kindness in seeing it that way.”

Relieved.

I’d worried he’d think I was a temperamental lunatic.

“However…”

His cheerful expression suddenly darkened.

Y-Yeah, I guess I was a bit harsh, wasn’t I?

I didn’t know why I’d acted that way, but I’d try to watch my expressions more carefully in the future…

“That there is nothing between Her Majesty and me…”

His eyes grew gloomy as he spoke seriously.

“I suppose I haven’t been sincere enough. From now on, I’ll make extra effort to convey my true feelings to Your Majesty.”

Was he worried about that?

No, wait, what exactly did he mean by ‘making extra effort’?

The night deepened.

Though dawn was still far off, the palace buzzed with people still enjoying the festivities.

Leonard and I strolled through the palace grounds.

We were looking for Jerome.

Now that I knew someone was after my life, I had to inform the Emperor himself.

Only then could we increase my guards or investigate who was behind this.

Leonard had already ordered the knights to scrutinize everyone leaving the palace, but somehow, I doubted we would catch them.

It was only a feeling, but it felt certain.

That made meeting Jerome all the more urgent.

Yet, surprisingly, finding him wasn’t easy.

He wasn’t in his office, and none of the knights seemed to know his whereabouts.

Come to think of it, after briefly appearing at the official event, he had vanished without a trace.

Even Fay was alone.

Jerome wasn’t even with Fay, whom he cherished so dearly.

“I don’t know where His Majesty the Emperor could be.”

“Neither do I.”

Maybe it would be better to wait until morning to look for him.

Just as I was pondering this—

“Ah!”

Suddenly, it hit me.

The Founding Festival.

Emperor Jerome’s disappearance.

The story from the original.

The Founding Festival looked like just another grand national event.

At first, it played out as usual, with Helena’s interference and Fay’s struggles.

But after overcoming the crisis with clever tactics, the story veered in a different direction.

Normally, Jerome would have celebrated Fay’s success warmly, embracing her.

But this time, for some reason, he didn’t show himself until the event ended.

Concerned, Fay searched for him, and just before the festival’s close… she found him in a place no one would have expected.

Jerome, barely found, looked completely different than usual.

The reason for his disappearance was—

Surprisingly, it wasn’t revealed until the next year’s Founding Festival.

In the original, it was a particularly significant event for many reasons.

Why hadn’t I thought of this before?

If the original story were true, Jerome would be there right now.

“Leonard.”

“Do you have something to say, Your Majesty?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

After making a request to Leonard, I headed straight to the palace’s rear garden.

“No matter what happens, wait here.”

Concerned for my safety, Leonard had asked me to stay where the knights were guarding.

I nodded in agreement, but I couldn’t keep that promise.

I knew.

That someone was after my life.

I knew it was dangerous to move without guards.

Still, I had no choice.

To meet him, I had to risk moving alone.

Jerome was in a very tense state these days; if I came with a crowd, he would surely react sharply.

Forget the guard request—I might have to endure his terrifying aura.

That alone made this day incredibly special for him.

The rear garden of the palace was sparsely populated.

From the start, the only places open for the treasure hunt were the main palace and the front garden.

Other areas, including the Empress’s residence, were strictly off-limits.

The rear garden was no exception.

“You know who I am, right?”

“Ah! Your Majesty the Empress.”

I took off my mask to show my face to the knight controlling the entrance.

Once he recognized me, he silently stepped aside without complaint.

Blue moonlight.

A cool breeze that soothed the midday heat.

The teasing scent of flowers.

Leaves crunching softly beneath my steps.

Though no lights were lit, the garden was dark but not frightening.

I used the moonlight as my guide and walked deep into the garden.

At the far edge.

Where tall castle walls stood.

A small, pale white stone building sat quietly.

It had no entrance.

That building never needed one.

It was not a house for the living.

The mausoleum of the late emperor.

And there he was.

His hair fluttering in the wind,

His shirt undone unlike usual,

Forgetting even his usual arrogant expression,

A lonely man staring up at the moonlight…

“Jerome.”

At my low voice, he turned his head.

Would he be annoyed for interrupting his thoughts?

Maybe he’d scowl and yell at me in frustration.

But when he saw me, he only smiled.

“Helena… you’re just as you were.”

A bittersweet smile lingered on his lips as he looked at me.